Diaphragm head for puncturing closure disks



June 10,1930. 5. E. ALLEN ET AL 1,752,806

' I DIARHRAGM HEAIj FOR PUNCTURING CLOSURE D ISKS FiLled Jafi. 30, 1929 a "2 Shuts-Sheet .1.

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Patented June 10, 1936 D-STA ES PATENT OFFICES-I scorn. E. ALLEN Ami. ozao. ,wrswnnn, or Los CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS,

BY MESNE Assrqnmnnrs; mo, -e -o-;rwo1rma EQUIPMENT COMPANY, 01* L08 .AN-. enms'camronmmn conrommronon .camronm I I i mnraitaom: r o'ltx. or.osuim msxs Q i uaean niei ia iuar lea 19 2911} {Serial no.-ase,155.

This invention relates to a device for puncturing the closure memberof a fluid'fc'ontain, -"1

er so that the fluid is released. ln thisap'g.

plication for Letters Paten't weshow a pre ferred form of the invention, it beingundere stood that we realize that; diiferentjchanges may be made in a device like this without. departing from the principle?involved;v

4 therefore, we intend the scopeofthis 'inven tion to be construed'broadly. Not only isv the device new in-its' entirety, but we havecombined certain elements less "than the.

whole device which are new; 1 Our invention finds an important use in the art of extinguishing fires b the-use of an extinguishing fluid such as C gas. One

' of the essentials of a releasing device for containers carrying CO5 gas is that] it be quick and positive in its operation so that the gas will positively-be released in as quick a time as possible after the device isset into;

Pressure-operated means for puncturing closure diaphragm, Serial No. 208,795,-filed July 27, 1927 Device for puncturing closure disc, Serial N 0. 208,717, filed July;27, 1927;

Closure release and combinationjforautomatically closing a closing'member, Serial No. 349,924, filed March 26, 1929;-Manual cam-pull head forpuncturing closure disc,

Serial No. 336,156, filedJan. 30, lQ29;'and Gas-operated screw typehead for punctur ing closure disc, Serial No. 336,157,;filed J an. 30, 1929, we illustrate different means for re-' 'leasinga fluid from a container. In the present invention one of our objects is to providev a device in which the puncturing member is operated bya diaphragm.

It is also an'obje ct of the invention to provide a device in which the puncturing mem-- ber after it punctures the closure disk is forced against a seat by therele ased fluid so that a seal is formed around the puncturing member and so that no fluid may escape around the puncturing member. Another object of our invention is to provide a device in which the puncturing member is forced into. puncturing position by a pressure which may continue for aperiod of ingzthe parts in actuated position.

sure. The container is with a threaded lflange 12. A central pro- Q Referring to.the'drawingswhichare for illustrative purposes,

1 1 Fig. 1 isa vertical centralsection through being shown'innormal position. r

Fig. 2 isa tran verse section taken 'onthe adevice embodying our invention, the parts a line 2+2-of Fig. 1.

. a Fig. 3 's a viewsimilar to' Fig. 1 but showefe rring to the drawings, the numeral-11 des gnatesa contalner'for fluid under presprovided at its neck jec-tion 13 extends upwardly above the flange 12. This projection '13 is threaded to receive a cap 14 whichholds a closure disk 15 in place. This closure disk 15'!is adapted to close the outlet opening 16 of the container 11. ,4 V I i I Our invention provides a body 18 having a lower face 19 adapted to be releasably held in engagement with therupper face of the flange 12 by means of a unionmember 20.

The body 18 has an opening forming a chamso her 21 which surrounds the" projection 13. Connected to the upper part of the chamber from the ,c'oi'itainer'is carried to the place .21is' a pipe 22 by which the fluid released I flexed from the position shown in Fig. 1 into the position shown in Fig. 3 by admitting pressure into the chamber 26 above. the diaphragm. This pressure may. be admitted through a pipe 28, connected to the plate 24 and communicating to the chamber 26 by fluid admitted into the chamber 26 may be withdrawn from the chamber 26 by a pipe 31 connected with an opening 32 into the plate 24. The flange 23 below the diaphragm 27 is provided with I vents 33 so that no pressure can be built up to oppose the pressure above the diaphragm. Connected to the central part of the diaphragm is a puncturing member 36. The connection of the puncturing member 36 to the diaphragm 27 is accomplished by a pair of 7 nuts 37 which are screwedonto an end 38 of the puncturing member 36. The puncturing member extends downwardly from the diaphragm through an opening 39 in the wall of the body 18 which forms the top of the cham- 1 her 21. The opening 39 may be providedwith an opening 30. The

a packing 40 of desired. The puncturing member has an enlarged portion 42 within the I a la chamber 21, the upper end of which is provided with a conical valve face 43 adapted to engage a valve seat 44 provided around the inner or lower end of the opening 39. The engagement of the valve face 43 and the valve 'u'seat 44 forms a seal around the puncturing member to prevent leakage when the puncturing member is in normal position as shown in Fig. 1. The valve construction just described constitutes the secondary valve means 130 of the invention.

The lower nut 37 engaging the diaphragm is provided with a valve face 46 which is adapted to engage a valve seat 47 which surrounds the upper end of the opening 39 when 3! the uncturing member is in actuated position as s 10WI). in Fig. 3. The valve construction just described constitutes the primary valve means of the invention.

The lower end of the puncturing member 36 is cylindrical and extends into a cylindri- '-cal opening 47 provided in the cap 14 which holds the closure disk 15 in place.

- The lower end of the puncturing member is provided with a knife edge 48 which adapt-s it for puncturing the closure disk 15. The puncturing member is provided with an opening 49 which extends upwardly from the lower end of the puncturing member and communicates with the opening 16 of thecontainer when the closure disk 15 has been penetrated. The upper end of the opening 49 is connected by lateral openings 50 with. the chamber 21 so that the fluid when released from the container 11 may flow into the chamber 21 and then through the pipe 22.

The operation of the invention is as follows The releasing device normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 1. \Vhen it is desired to release the fluid from the container ll, a pressure is created in the chamber 26 above the diaphragm 27. In the drawings we have illustrated pressure-creating means as pipes for conveying a fluid under pressure to the 66;. chamber 26 and from it. It should be understood that other pressure-applying means may be provided such as an explosion device, as shown in our application for Letters Patent entitled Device for uncturing closure disc, Serial No. 208,717, fi ed July 27, 1927. lVhen the pressure is created in the chamber 26 above the diaphragm 27, the diaphragm 27 is forced down into the position shown in Fig. 3 so that the primary valve means is closed, and so that the knife edge 48 of the puncturing member 36 has penetrated the closure member 15. At this time the fluid in the container 11 passes through the opening 16 thereof, the opening 49, the openings, 50, and into the chamber 21. As long as sufficient pressure is maintained in the upper part of the chamber 26 the puncturing means will occupy the position shown in Fig. 3.

, With the parts thus positioned, none of the V fluid in the chamber 21 can escape from the chamber around the puncturing member due to the fact that the primary valve is closed and forms a seal. This primary valve means is of particular value, where it is possible that the pressure in the chamber 26 may be of some duration. If an explosive means 15 utilized to maintain a pressure, this pressure is of short duration and the primary valve .means is not as necessary.

When the pressure in the chamber 26 decreases so that there is sufficient difle'rential between the pressure in the chamber 21 and that in the chamber 26, the puncturing member 36 will return to normal position, as shown in Fig. 1. At this time the secondary valve at. the upper end of the chamber 21 will be closed so that at this time there is a seal provided around the lower end of the opening 39 which prevents a leakage of fluid around the puncturing member '36.

The important parts of the invention are the combination of a puncturing member and a diaphragm for operating the puncturing member. The primary and secondary valves also constitute an important part of the invention in that they form a seal for preventing leakage. The type of puncturing member which is provided is likewise important,'since it is designed so that it will not obstruct the passage of fluid from the container 11 and so that the force of the stream of fluid is directed to push the puncturing member 36 upward. In this way the velocity of the fluid as well as its pressure is utilized to return the puncturing member to the position shown in Fig. 1. I

lVe claim as our invention:

1. In a device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening and a closure for saidopening; a body having a chamber communicating with said opening; a puncturing member extending into said chamber and operable to open said closure; a diaphragm for operating said puncturing member; and means for applying a pressure against said diaphragm so as to operate said puncturing member adapted to engage a seat puncturing member.

2. In a device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening and a closure for said openlng; a body to be connected with the container at said opening; an axially movable puncturing-member carrled by the body and operable to open said closure; a diaphragm for operating said punc turing member; and means for applying a. pressure against sald diaphragm so as to op-.

erate said puncturing member. 3. In a device for use in connection with fluid container having an openingand a closure for said opening; walls'forming a chamher around said opening; a puncturing member extending into said chamber and operable to open said closure; a diaphragm for op. crating sald puncturing member; means for applying a pressure against said diaphragm so as to operate said puncturing member; and

sealing means for forming a seallaround said puncturing means when said puncturing means is in operated position.

4. In a device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening and a closure for said opening; a body forming a chamber around said opening; a puncturin g member extending into said chamber and operable to open said closure; a diaphragm for operating said puncturing member; means for applying a pressure against said diaphragm so as to operate said puncturing member; and sealing means, for forming a seal around said puncturing member when said puncturing member 1s 1n normal position.

a fluid container having an opening and a closure for said opening; abody forming a chamber around said opening; a-puncturing member extending into said chamber and operable to open said closure; a diaphragm" for operating said puncturing member; means for applylng a pressure againstsaid diaphragm so as to operate said puncturin g member primary sealingmeans for forming a seal around said puncturing means when said puncturing means 1s 1n operated position; and secondary sealing means for forming a seal around said puncturing mem-- puncturing member is in nora seal around said puncturing means when saidpuncturing means is in operated position,

5. In a device for use in connection withsaid sealing means including a valve on said on said walls.

7. In a device for use in connection with a fluid container having an opening .and a closure for said open ng; Walls forming a chamber around said opening; a puncturing member extending into said chamber and operable to open said closure; adia hragm for operatlng said puncturing mem er; means for applying a pressure against said: dia,

phragm so as to operate said puncturing member; and seallng means for forming a.

seal around saidpuncturing member when said puncturing member is in normal position, said sealing means including a valve on said puncturing member adapted to engage a seat on said walls. I 8.} In a device foruse in-connection-With a fluid container having an opening and a clowalls forming a cham valveon said puncturing member adapted to engage a seat on said walls. 7

9.. In a device for use in connection with a container having an opening and a closure for the opening, a body having a chamber, a punch .extending into the chamber and oper able to open the closure,.and a fluid pressure actuated diaphragm for operating the punch, the punch having an opening for conducting fluid from the container to the chamber uponthe closure being opened.

10. In a device for use in connection with a container having an opening and a closure for the opening, a body for-connection with the container and having two spaced chambers,

'one for communication with said-containeropening and having an outlet, and the other vfor connection with pressure supply means,

a punch extending between thechambers and operable to open the closure, and a diaphragm in the last-mentioned chamber for operating the punch. c

' 11. In a device for use in connection with a container having an opening and a closure for the opening, a body for connection with the container and having two spaced chandbers, one for communication With said container opening and having an outlet, and the other for connection with pressure supply means, a punch extending between the charm bers and operable to open the closure, and a said opening; a puncturing mem- Y diaphragm in the last-mentioned chamber for operating the punch, said last-mentione chamber being vented at one side of the diaphragm.

12. In a device for use in connection with a container having an opening and a closure I for the opening, a body for connection With the container and having two spaced chambers, one for communication with said container opening and having an outlet, and the other for connection with pressure supply means, a punch extending through the body between the chambers and operable to open the closure, sealing means around the punch where it passes through the body, and a diaphragm in. the last-mentioned chamber for 7 operating the punch.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands at Los Angeles, California, this 24th day of J anuary, 1929.

' SCOTT E. ALLEN.

' OZRO N. WISVVELL. 

